Pune: SPPU Students, Social Groups to Hold Protest on July 18 in Support of Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike
Pune, 16th July 20226: Students of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), along with members of various social and political organisations, will stage a day-long symbolic protest on July 18 in support of education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The protest will be held outside the main gate of SPPU, where students identifying with the Shiv–Phule–Shahu–Ambedkarite ideology and representatives of several organisations are expected to participate. Organisers said the demonstration would be conducted through peaceful and constitutional means to express solidarity with Wangchuk and amplify his demands.
The decision to hold the protest was taken at a meeting of students and activists at the university on Wednesday. Participants said Wangchuk’s ongoing fast has failed to elicit any response from the Centre despite continuing for more than two weeks.
In a statement, the organisers said Wangchuk’s concerns affect the future of millions of students across the country and criticised the government for allegedly ignoring the issues raised during the protest. They urged students and citizens to extend support to strengthen the movement.
Wangchuk, who is leading the symbolic “Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)” protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations, including the NEET-UG paper leak, and seeking Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Protesters claim the Centre has not officially responded to their demands.
